AIC’s annual Majors Fair on Thursday, October 13 kicked off a busy month for the school’s Saremi Center for Career Development.

Many students filed into the West Wing during C-Hour last Thursday for the fair, which is one of two events hosted by the Saremi Center this month, the other being the third edition of ‘JOBtoberfest.’

The Majors Fair gives students at AIC the opportunity to check out the different majors available on campus, all within one room.

The main purpose is to get undecided students thinking about their options, but the Majors Fair is also open for declared students considering minors, or those interested in various career paths that come with their respective major.

J.A. Marshall is the Director of the Saremi Center. He was pleased overall with the turnout at last week’s Majors Fair.

“This year’s fair had 182 students in attendance at last count,” Marshall said. “That is a lot of people to be in the West Wing. I was happy that for most of the event it felt busy, with a buzz of voices and standing room only.”

He noted he was slightly disappointed in that there were 198 attendees last year, but this year there was also another event taking place on campus and the weather outside was nice.

The Saremi Center provided some incentive for those who showed up to the West Wing for the fair. Everyone who signed in at the entrance was entered in a drawing for a Go Pro giveaway.

Professors from several different majors interacted with students in attendance. 20 departments were represented this year, up from last year.

“It’s a nice chance to connect with their faculty members in a different setting that lends itself to more informal chatting about possible careers, pathways, and directions available to those in the major and another way to feel more connected,” Marshall explained.

Professor Mary Ellen Lowney, who is the Chair of the Communication department, was on hand with colleague Professor John Nordell to plug the Communication program as well as the New Media and Visual/Digital Arts major.

“We’re happy to show off what we have in the Communication department, with our three majors and lots of hands-on stuff,” Lowney said, pointing to her table full of school newspapers, cameras, video equipment, and the like.

Lowney also talked about the importance of the Majors Fair as it relates to underclassmen.

“This is a chance for students, especially for freshmen and sophomores, to see all of our majors in action,” said Lowney. “They can shop around from table to table and actually meet the faculty face to face.”

Marshall agreed.

“I do think it is an important event. I spoke to a number of students who shared they were undeclared so I know this event helps them to get a better idea of their options,” Marshall said, noting that at some point students have to declare their major, “and the pressure really starts to increase in the spring.”

Two weeks after the Majors Fair, the Saremi Center will be back at it again with its third annual ‘JOBtoberfest.’

JOBtoberfest is a fall job fair which allows students on campus to network with various employers. This year’s job fair will take place on Thursday, October 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Campus Center Auditorium.

This year, over 60 employers will fill the CCA. Not only can students take advantage of the opportunity to network with several different employers from the Pioneer Valley, they also can stop by for more free food and another chance to win a prize.

A Sony Playstation 4 Pro will be given away in association with JOBtoberfest, and just like at the Majors Fair, you will be entered to win just by signing in!

Marshall is excited for this year’s JOBtoberfest, which is bigger than ever.

“[At JOBtoberfest, students can] see direct connections from the majors and corresponding careers with companies that value those majors,” said Marshall. “They can hear about careers from actual employers.”

“I am really excited for this year’s event because we have over 60 employers, 20 more than last year, and we are actually completely full,” he added. “In fact, we have had to turn some employers away! They are really eager to meet and find out about AIC students.”

Stop by the Saremi Center for more information on JOBtoberfest and the employers scheduled to be in attendance.